Creative Spotlight : Trisha Lambi

Trisha Lambi is an award winning artist known for her bold and lavish oil paintings. Of her work, Lambi says ‘Light and its effect on form is my inspiration and whilst I don’t particularly aspire to convey a conscious emotion in my work it seems to emerge of its own will’.

Here, she took some time away from sipping coffee overlooking the river on her deck to chat to us about her plans for the future…

When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?I launched my brand in 2003 when I made a conscious decision to become a professional artist. At the time I had two young children and I was doing baby portraits. In my spare time I had started oil painting and my work was beginning to attract attention. The internet helped me get my work out there and when I was invited to exhibit in the 2003 Florence Biennale I decided it was time to get serious.

What’s your background?I was born in a small country town in South East Queensland, Australia and was raised on a farm as part of a large, happy family. After school, I deferred university and worked for a year. I then started a degree in visual arts however I dropped out after only a couple of months and it took me a long time to find my way back to painting. It wasn’t until the birth of my first child that I began to paint in earnest.

How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles?Just me

If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?My early years of painting were filled with people telling me to paint what sells – advice that was often conflicting and always confusing. It took some time for me to gain enough confidence to paint from my heart – to ignore all that white noise and listen to my inner voice.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?Exhibiting is my greatest challenge – I’m happiest in my studio painting. I find actual exhibiting is very personal and quite challenging for a reserved person such as me.

2018 is flying by, where do you plan on taking the brand?My youngest child is now at uni, so I’m taking up my first residency in Crete later this year. I’m looking forward to the challenge of taking myself out of my comfort zone and seeing how my work will develop and where it will take me. As David Bowie said ‘Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.’ I think I’ve been running from the waves for a long time ☺

To date, what has been the highlight since launching?Many highlights – my very first sale, my first solo show which earned a review in the Sydney Herald, winning the $5000 acquisitive Warwick Art prize, my first overseas sale, and being selected in international exhibitions and awards.

Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York?I haven’t been to Paris, and London was a long time ago so I have to say New York

Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without?Lipstick mascara perfume

Style means….?Being comfortable in yourself

Best thing about London to you?I was there mid 90’s and I loved it – it didn’t feel like a big city to me and perhaps that’s what I loved about it.

Statement shoe or statement bag?My style is eclectic – I’m not a fan of the statement anything.

If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear everyday?I think I already do this; it’s a shift dress which is very comfortable and cool and doesn’t need ironing – yay. I’m afraid I wear it everywhere and when it finally dies, I’ll be very sad.

Favourite love song?So many, I love the Killers and Muse, so anything by those

Best place for a coffee?At home on the deck overlooking the river.

Most memorable piece of advice given to you?Paint every day

Guilty pleasure?A bit nerdy but I love puzzles

If you could spent 24 hours in anywhere in the world, where would it be?Painting in my studio

In future, how do you plan on expanding the company?By increasing my global profile by exhibiting internationally, attending residencies and continuing to take advantage of social media.